“Mass Effect” actress Braun chats with Ski11z

Recently, Willie Jefferson, M4d Ski11z, of The Houston Chronicle, got a chance to interview Wendy Braun, an actress (Evolution) and voice actress in EA/Bioware titles, such as “Mass Effect” and “Dragon Age.” Braun played Gianna Parasini in “Mass Effect” and “Mass Effect 2.”

Braun shared her thoughts on voice acting in video games.

M4d Ski11z:. You have been involved in films (“Evolution”) and two Bioware/EA video games (“Dragon Age,” “Mass Effect”). What is the biggest difference between films and voice acting?

Braun: They both require intense focus. Voice acting is a solo activity and is much more intense – in a booth and microphone. Film acting has a set, actors and costumes. I put on black boots – literally. If I am in the shoes of the character, I’m there.

Braun: The biggest challenge is voice acting is doing fight and death scenes in a padded room. You can’t do a fight scene in a chair and microphone. You have to act physically. I’ve punched myself before. I create that alone in a room. On a set, you have another person coming at you.

M4d Ski11z: Did EA/Bioware model any character you did voice acting for after you? If so, how did you feel seeing your digital likeness?

Braun: I don’t know. The performance comes first, then the animation. You literally become someone else. The voice first, then animation. I led the performance, then the artist came in to animate it. It’s wild to see your voice on another character.

M4d Ski11z: What are a few things you’ve learned about voice acting for a video game that you didn’t know before you started?

Braun: Just how similar it is to any other acting. You think it’s just your voice but it’s not. It’s a full-body experience. Someone from the outside will say it’s easy, but it takes all the on-camera skills acting does. So if someone filmed you while you were voice acting, it would look like you were acting.

M4d Ski11z: Do people you meet in public recognize your voice from the video games? If so, what was one of the coolest experiences?

Braun: I shot a Rent-A-Center commercial with Troy Aikman and Hulk Hogan. I had a 14-year-old boy that played my son (in the commercial). He was impressed I was a voice in Mass Effect. He asked me more questions about “Mass Effect” than he did Troy Aikman and Hulk Hogan. He gave them their props, but I was impressed with the gaming effect.

M4d Ski11z: If a high schooler/college student/soccer mom wanted to break into voice acting, can you give a few pointers?

Braun: Find an acting class and see if you like acting. It’s requires all the same tools. If you know you like acting, take a voice-over class. If you want to get into videos or animation, take a voice-over class that focuses on animation. Community theater also helps. I also have a website to help inspire actors on the journey – http://actorinspiration.com